Shuttle Drivers Log Nearly 40 Years Behind the Wheel

The airport shuttle service is one of those things that travelers tend to take for granted.

They land at Omaha Eppley Airport, bleary-eyed from travel originating far and wide — sometimes from halfway around the world. They claim their bags and exit Door #2, looking up and down the curb for a driver they’ve not yet met and a car they don’t recognize. For many of these travelers, they’ve never set foot in Nebraska — let alone Nebraska City. But what they’ll soon find out is that the Lied Lodge shuttle drivers are among the best in the business.

Front row, from left: Dave Sackles, Arnie Beckman, and Dean Koehn are honored for their nearly 40 years of service as Lied Lodge airport shuttle drivers. Joining them in the back row is Rhonda Ullsperger, from the Lied Lodge front desk.

These drivers consistently give a warm welcome to our guests, dutifully loading their bags and embarking on the nearly one-hour journey south to Nebraska City, the home of Arbor Day. As the miles pass, so does the friendly banter and the Q-and-A session, ranging from “So… what’s there to do in Nebraska City?” to “Where can I get an Omaha steak?” and everything in between.

These shuttle drivers provide the first living, breathing impression of the Arbor Day Foundation and our mission to plant trees. They serve as part tour guide and part chauffeur. They make the trip in every kind of weather, and sometimes multiple times a day. Without fail, though, they safely deliver guests to our doorstep.

Dave, Arnie, and Dean: we sincerely thank you for your nearly 40 years of service behind the wheel of the Lied Lodge shuttle vehicles.